Double Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirled Brownies

by Jessica on April 4, 2008

This weekend, I’m off on a girls’ trip where we’ll be roughing it in the wilderness. Thankfully, we’ll be in a fab log cabin, complete with running water, an indoor bathroom, real beds/linens and a flat screen. You know… camping.

It’s also a friend’s 40th birthday and she loves chocolate almost as much as I do… almost. So, for her birthday dessert, I decided to make these Double Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirled Brownies. I’ve wanted to make them for quite a while and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. That’s what you do when you go all out.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the two baking chocolate squares in 30 second intervals stirring after each interval until smooth and melted after stirring. Do not scorch! Remove from microwave and allow to come to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time until blended. Add vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix to combine.

Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl and whisk together. Gradually stir dry ingredients into butter mixture. Do not overmix. In a separate mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg and beat until just combined.

Spread about 2/3 of chocolate brownie batter into prepared pan. Evenly drop 1/2 of cheesecake batter in dollups over brownie batter. Run a knife through both mixtures to slightly swirl. Dollop remaining brownie batter and cheesecake batter over swirled mixture. Run knife through the brownie and cheesecake dollups (not all the way through the already swirled layer) to create a swirled pattern.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center has a few crumbs stuck to it. Do not overbake or they will harden, if underbaked they will be too gooey. Every oven is different so watch and check these after about 35-40 minutes of baking to ensure proper doneness.

After about 35-40 minutes of baking (with about 5-7 minutes of baking time left), gently place cut up Reese's cups over top of almost fully baked brownies. Finish baking until a toothpick inserted in the center has a few crumbs stuck to it. The Reese's PB cups will melt but hold their shape slightly. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting and serving.

Wow… you’re really roughin’ it! These brownies will keep you guys going, even if you have to put up with having running water, a flat screen TV, and other luxurious accommodations! At least you have those brownies! ha!